PN set to keep up pressure 'until Mizzi and Schembri are sacked' - Fenech Adami

The Nationalist Party will keep up the pressure until both Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM's chief of staff Keith Schembri are dismissed, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami has stated.

Addressing a press conference outside Auberge de Castille, Fenech Adami also claimed that "corruption is cooking at Castille" whilst the "powerless prime minister is being held hostage" by Mizzi and Schembri.

"What is stopping the Prime Minister from dismissing the two? Schembri is facing serious allegations of corruption while Mizzi, a minister, opened a company in a secretive jurisdiction.

"The allegations in their regard are serious and should be investigated," he reiterated.

"But Muscat is incapable of acting and dismissing two people caught in this web of corruption. Why can't he sack them?"

Fenech Adami went on to draw comparisons with Adrian Hillman's resignation from his high-ranking posts at Allied Group. Hillman has resigned as managing director but is still employed with Allied Newspapers. 

Hillman, who declared that his resignation was in the best interest of the company and "without any admission of liability" has denied receiving any kickbacks from Schembri. The allegations were denied, but Fenech Adami insisted that the accusations "remain shocking".

"Naturally there are allegations but it can't be that a chief of staff keeps facing these allegations. What is shocking people is the powerless prime minister."

He went on to add that Muscat was "going out of his way to defend the indefensible".

Asked whether the PN was aware of any proof of corruption in public contracts signed - the Opposition has called for a probe - the deputy leader insisted there there was "no logic or valid reason" to justify the opening of a company in Panama.

"Holding property abroad or having worked abroad do not justify this."